The Big Picture: A down-to-earth art show

WORK by artists such as Damien Hurst, LS Lowry and Richard Clare will be on display in the city this weekend at the Manchester Art Show - described as a down-to-earth northern alternative to the snobbery of the London art scene.

THE Manchester Art Show was started three years ago by Carolyn Burnett, who had grown tired with having to travel to events in the capital and wanted to set up an alternative to the snobbery of the London-dominated arts scene.

The show, which is coming to Manchester this weekend, has doubled in size every year - attracting 7,500 visitors in 200.

And it has been praised by the national arts press for its policy of offering cheap stalls to enable small artists to display their work.

This means visitors can see work by up-and-coming artists they may never have heard about before.

These include works by up-and-coming Manchester artists David Hancock and by Richard Clare, who paints scenes of the city as well as images of nearby rural areas like Saddleworth Moor.

The event will also feature international work which art lovers would be unlikely to have seen before, and there will be areas put aside for Thai, Chinese and Mongolian artists.

The Mongolian art today stand includes works by 12 of the country's finest artists, including the critically acclaimed Choindongiin Khurelbaatar.

The event has also established a reputation among the UK's art galleries, and many will be represented at the show.

Because of this, works by established contemporary artist Damien Hurst, and even LS Lowry will also be on display.

But although the show is intended as an introduction to the pleasures of buying art - with some pieces available at well under £100 - many visitors just go to look at the work.

Carolyn Burnett said: "We felt strongly that the general public, art buyers and business community are encouraged to buy art if there is a relaxed environment.

"Our tremendous success last year proves this in both numbers of potential art buyers through the door and by the amount of sales made over the four days.

"The show continues to promote art to a wider audience and provide artists with a unique opportunity for greater exposure across the UK."

Manchester Art Show 2005 takes place at the Manchester International Convention Centre next to GMEX until October 30.